The holiday season has officially started which means it’s time to think about what gifts to get your friends and family. If they are boaters, the Sea Tow Foundation may be able to help! Whether the boaters in your life are brand-new to the pastime or have been boating for the last 40 years, we’ve compiled a list of 10 gifts to help you pick just the right one for them. And, we’ve included gifts at multiple price-points for those budget-conscious shoppers. Plus, we’ve included the links to help you shop right now!

1. Nautical Charts - $49.99

Boating in unknown waters is challenging, but even the local waterways can change as storms or tides move navigational buoys from time to time. A mobile app subscription to Navionics features charts, markers, weather and wind forecasts, tides, currents, sonar for fishing or diving, and turn-by-turn directions from one location to another on the water. Think of it as an on the water GPS, meteorologist and boating expert all in one!

2. Boating Safety Class Gift Certificate - $54.95

Register your loved one with iLearntoBoat - the only interactive, online boating safety course that is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. It is important to meet the requirements of your state’s boating licensing agency and as laws can often be updated or changed, a boating safety course will ensure that your favorite boater is compliant and stays safe out on the water. . Plus, when they pass the test, many boat insurance companies will provide a discount.

3. Floating, Polarized Sunglasses - $65.00

Protecting the eyes is important for boaters who spend a lot of time on the water in the bright sun. Rheos Sunglassesare featherlight, high-performance glasses that will never sink and are also extremely comfortable to wear. Better yet, a portion of all proceeds helps to protect the coastlines and waterways.  

4. E-Flare - $79.95

A relatively new item on the market is the electronic flare. These devices are certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to replace traditional flares for emergency signaling by boaters. An ACR ResQFlare is 10 times brighter than a traditional flare, doesn’t expire or need to be replaced every few years, can float and still work after being in water, and won’t cause burns to people or equipment. Plus, the light from an E-Flare lasts for hours compared to the 2-3 minutes that a traditional flare burns.

5. Inflatable Life Jacket - $119.99

You always want your loved ones to come back from their fishing or boating trip, which is why a brand-new, inflatable life jacket from Onyx Outdoors is the perfect gift this holiday season. Not only does it allow your boater to have full mobility, but it does so without sacrificing safety.

6. Handheld VHF Radio - $129.95

Cobra makes a handheld VHF radio that also floats, has a noise-canceling microphone, a backlit LCD display, and connects to NOAA weather. Your boating friend will have everything they need to keep in touch when in remote areas or spending time off-shore!

7. Marine Speakers - $157.96

Listening to music on the water is a great way to relax and have fun in your boat. Kicker Marine’s 6.5 inch speakers are UV treated and meant to be mounted in the hull. They feature seven color-changing LED lights and can handle 65 watts.

8. Sea Tow membership - $199.00

There’s no better gift for your favorite boater than peace of mind on the water. Whether your boating buddies are on lakes, rivers or the open ocean, a Sea Tow membership can be the perfect gift. A membership comes complete with 24/7/365 marine assistance, tows, fuel deliveries, jump starts and so much more. You can even buy the membership instantly online, making it the perfect last-minute holiday gift in the days, hours and even minutes leading up to whenever your friends and family open their presents!

9. Qualified Captain First Aid Kit - $200.00

The Qualified Captain has put together a rugged outdoor kit containing first aid supplies to treat common injuries and control bleeding. This first aid and trauma kit is great for a boat, RV, ATV or other outdoor adventure so it can be useful in lots of venues.

10. Satellite Communications - $299.99

Getting help in an emergency is critical for boaters. Cell phones are unreliable out on the water, but a Garmin InReach Mini 2 is always able to get a signal if a boater has a good view of the sky so that rescuers know exactly where the boater is located and can send help to that exact position. And, it can also send a text message in a non-emergency situation so your loved one can let you know that they’ll be 30 minutes late for dinner!

Many people think that boaters are difficult to shop for, but these 10 gift recommendations make it easy, simple and stress free. Happy holidays, and happy shopping!

Please note that the Sea Tow Foundation may receive compensation as an affiliate of Amazon’s for purchases made with some of these links. Prices may vary from what is printed.

The gift-giving season is upon us and it’s always tough to find a gift for certain people in your family. But, if that family member is a boater, we’ve got 5 great ideas to help you shop. 

1. Automatic Inflatable Life Jacket – These are truly life-saving devices that are low profile and light weight. In fact, many boaters don’t even realize that they are on because they are so comfortable! However, if a boater is knocked overboard or slips and falls off the dock, the cartridge will automatically inflate the life jacket and bring the person to the surface where they can breathe and call for help. Just be aware that the U.S. Coast Guard restricts these for use only be people ages 16 and over and they must be worn to count toward carriage requirements.
   
   
   
2. E-Flare – A relatively new item on the market is the electronic flare. These devices are certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to replace traditional flares for emergency signaling by boaters. An E-Flare is 10 times brighter than a traditional flare, it doesn’t expire and need to be replaced every few years like a traditional flare, it floats and still works, and it won’t cause burns to people or equipment like a traditional flare. Plus, the light from an E-Flare lasts for hours compared to the 2-3 minutes that a traditional flare burns.
   
   
   
3. Satellite Communication Device– Getting help in an emergency is critical for boaters. Out on the water, cell phones are unreliable, but a personal locator beacon like ACR’s ResQLink is always able to get a signal if a boater has a good view of the sky. And the Garmin InReach Mini can also send a text message in a non-emergency letting loved ones know that you will be 30 minutes late for dinner.
   
   
   
4. Nautical Charts – Boating in unknown waters is challenging, but even the local waterways can change as storms or tides move navigational buoys from time to time. A subscription to the Navionics Boating App can serve as “Your Guide on the Water.” Updates are made daily and the app features charts, markers, weather and wind forecasts, tides, currents, sonar for fishing or diving, and turn-by-turn directions from one location to another on the water. Find subscription details here.
   
   
5. Sea Tow Membership – Knowing that local Sea Tow captains are standing by 24/7/365 can give boaters the peace of mind that they will be taken care of. Whether a boater needs advice on the best places to fish, has run out of gas, or is having mechanical problems with the boat, members get priority service so that you can get back to enjoying your day on the water even faster. Get a Sea Tow membership here.

*The Sea Tow Foundation may receive compensation as an affiliate of Amazon’s for purchases made with some of these links.

WHAT IS AN E-FLARE AND SHOULD I GET ONE?

An E-Flare is a non-pyrotechnic electronic visual distress signal with a very bright light that operates off of batteries. Multiple manufacturers produce Coast Guard certified E-Flares including ACR and Sirius Signal.  An E-Flare serves as your nighttime distress signal. Each E-Flare will come with an orange distress flag that will be used as your day signal.  E-Flares are easy to operate and only require that you check the batteries on a regular basis.  When used, the E-Flare will flash the S-O-S signal for at least 2 hours, much longer than a traditional flare.  Even if you still choose to carry traditional flares, adding an E-Flare to your boat's safety kit is a smart idea.

For more flare education go to www.boatingsafety.com/FlareEducation